This month, executive editor Patrick Bursnon offers LM readers a comprehensive update on the air cargo market and where it stands in terms of volumes and pricing as we roll into the peak season.
“It’s really no surprise that through June we’ve seen year-over-year global airfreight demand and volumes both down,” says Burnson. “And I would venture to forecast that volumes will remain volatile through the end of 2019 due to continued Brexit-related trade uncertainty in Europe and ongoing tensions between the United States and China—all of which are contributing to declines in new export orders.”
In fact, export orders have increased only three times in the past 15 months, and global data has been indicating negative export demand since September 2018. And as Burnson reports, the continued weakness is likely to lead to further subdued annual freight tonnage growth in coming months as well, regardless of the coming peak.
Even though air cargo demand and volume have lost some momentum, it hasn’t slowed the technology development or service offerings of leading airfreight forwarders. “Shippers are going to see savvy forwarders offer more sophisticated digitized solutions to set them apart from the pack,” says Burnson. “When the Top 25 list is released next month, shippers will see some of the biggest names in the business vying for top positions—and doing so with differentiating technology offerings.”
The 13 companies taking home 2019 Quest for Quality gold have certainly made a difference in the global supply chain operations of LM readers who put their vote of support to work.
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2019 Quest for Quality Winners Categories NATIONAL / MULTI-REGIONAL LTL | REGIONAL LTL | TRUCKLOAD | RAIL/INTERMODAL | OCEAN CARRIERS | PORTS | 3PL | AIR CARRIERS and FREIGHT FORWARDERS | |